Sonic Offers Free Fraud Detection Following Security Breach

Fast food chain Sonic Drive-In is offering free fraud detection and identity theft protection its customers who used their credit or debit cards at their restaurants this year after a security breach last month.

In a news release on its website, Oklahoma City-based Sonic said it discovered that credit and debit card numbers may have acquired without authorization as part of a malware attack at certain locations. The release didn't specify exactly which Sonic locations were impacted.

Restaurant officials said it immediately contacted law enforcement and called in third-party forensic firms to aid in the investigation after it learned of the breach.

Now, the company is offering 24 months of free fraud detection and identity theft protection through Experian's IdentityWorks program to customers who've used their cards at Sonic this year.

To take advantage of the free services, visit the Experian IdentityWorks websiteor contact Experian Customer Care at 877-534-7032. Customers can sign up through December 31, 2017.

Sonic said customers should check bank and credit card statements regularly, monitor financial accounts and get free credit reports to check for fraud or identity theft.

What to do if you see unauthorized activity or suspect identity theft:

contact your financial institution immediately

suspected incidents of identity theft can be reported to local law enforcement or the FTC at 1-877-438-4338.

contact your local police department to file a report

You can place a fraud alert on your bank accounts and credit file as a precautionary step. (A fraud alert tells creditors to contact you before they open any new accounts or change your existing accounts.)

consider placing a credit/security freeze on your credit report. (Placing a freeze on your credit report will prevent lenders and others from accessing your credit reports in response to a new credit application.)